ABSTRACT
This chapter considers an examination of three return cases of historically removed heritage, which show that a dialogue about the future of historically removed objects is complicated and will not be a quick-fix. It also explores on the various rules, focusing on the idea that the states of origins' interests in their wrongfully removed heritage are being increasingly recognised. These rules can be drawn from the evolving law and return cases under three different categories: the return of looted heritage during wartime, the return of stolen and illegally exported heritage during peacetime, and the return of historically removed heritage. The chapter examines state practices to argue for a new customary rule, which would provide an answer for the lack of legal basis when claiming for the return of historically removed heritage. The developing state practices reflect that there is an increasing recognition of the interests of the states of origin in their wrongfully removed heritage.
